2025 NBA playoff picture: Standings, projections with five West teams separated by half-game in final week

The Portland Trail Blazers have extended general manager Joe Cronin's contract for multiple years, though exact terms were not disclosed. Under Cronin's leadership, the team has shown improvement with a 35-44 record and a recent winning streak, positioning them as a top defensive team in the NBA. Since taking over in 2022, Cronin has overseen a rebuild by trading away key players and developing a young core, earning praise from team chair Jody Allen for...

Jamal Murray's lingering hamstring injury is worse than initially feared, with his availability for the start of the playoffs uncertain according to Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone. The Nuggets have ruled Murray out for five consecutive games, leading to a four-game losing streak. Malone emphasized that Murray is hurt, not simply being cautious, and expressed hope for his return before the postseason. Murray's health is crucial to Denver's championship hopes, as shown by his...

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry scored just three points in a loss to the Houston Rockets, his lowest total in a game where he played over 30 minutes, due to the suffocating defense led by Amen Thompson. Rockets coach Ime Udoka credited Thompson for shutting down Curry, who had been on a scoring streak, while Warriors forward Jimmy Butler highlighted the physical play against Curry as a key factor in his struggles. Despite Curry's...

In his return to TD Garden, Marcus Smart of the Washington Wizards got into a heated altercation with a Celtics fan who he felt had crossed the line. Smart had to be held back by teammates after trying to approach the fan, who was eventually escorted out of the arena. Despite the incident, Smart expressed appreciation for the majority of fans who showed love and brought back memories of his time with the Celtics. Full...

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is having an exceptional scoring season in the NBA, with a notable ability to get to the free-throw line where he boasts a 90% shooting percentage. Despite his high free-throw attempts per game, he surprisingly did not attempt any free throws in a recent game against the Los Angeles Lakers, marking the first time in over three years. This anomaly follows a game where he only had one free-throw...